Modern Quarrying Q3 2021

DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

Haver & Boecker Niagara’s Pulse vibration analysis program specifically monitors the health of vibrating screens.

A vibrating screen is the heart of a quarry. It’s the deciding factor in whether or not your product meets your specifications. Deadlines and quotas might tempt producers to overload the screen while attempting to increase their bottom line. However, this contributes to downtime due to premature wear andmight create a safety hazard for workers near an unbalanced screen. And just as monitoring a heart rate is an essential for optimal health, the same idea applies to a quarry operation. By Douglas Lima, service manager at Haver &Boecker Niagara. BOOST SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY IN QUARRIES WITH DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

T ahink of manufacturers as an operation’s cardiologist, there to diagnose and remedy operating issues before they become a safety hazard or halt production altogether. They provide producers with the necessities to streamline an operation and minimise downtime or injury. And, these days, that starts with diagnostics. Like a house-call from a doctor, onsite diagnostics enhance aggregate operations through vibration analy- sis service programmes without having to transport the equipment into a shop. These programmes offer pro- ducers insight on their screen’s performance to achieve optimum efficiency and ensure minor operating issues don’t become major hazards. For the first time ever, manufacturers’ service pro- grams provide producers the opportunity to monitor screening performance in real time. And recently, some manufacturers advanced these systems by using wire- less technology. These advancements offer a hands- off approach to analysing screening equipment by

allowing operators to stand out of harm’s way – from a potentially off-balanced screen – when performing diagnostics. In addition to safety, wireless technology offers operators remote, real-time monitoring, which ensures equipment is properly maintained and running opti- mally. This means less risk that strain is placed on the screen or other parts of the operation to main- tain production quota. The increased efficiency and enhanced safety is the healthy choice for all areas of the operation. How it works It all begins with a close relationship with the OEM and is enhanced by real-time equipment monitoring. Finding a key partnership where an OEM approaches the application as a solution provider rather than an equipment supplier is key to productivity and success. If your OEM isn’t providing consultative advice and real-time, proactive monitoring, it might be time to

26

MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 3 - 2021